A List of Things to Do to Keep Your Home In Good Shape

Whether you’ve just bought your first house or you’ve been living there a while, there are certain things that every homeowner should do.

We’ve put together a list of things that you should do to keep your home in good shape.

Annually

Doing yearly checks is a great way of making sure that little problems don’t creep up on you when it’s too late. Just think of it as giving your home it’s annual MOT.

Clean your gutters

You may not think about your gutters very often but it’s important that you clean them out at least once a year. Dead leaves, sticks, moss and other nasty stuff can build up and stop the guttering doing its job. Gutters are there to help guide rain water off your roof, if they are clogged or broken then it could result in damp or even structural damage.

Steam clean your carpets

You may consider your carpets clean but over a year a lot of dirt and other unmentionables can be tracked through your house. A yearly steam will revitalise and freshen your carpet leaving it as good as the day it was laid.

Inspect the roof

Your roof can take quite a bashing over the year so it’s important that you check it for any cracks or holes. You can also investigate inside by checking walls and ceilings for signs such as moisture marks, brown stains or peeling paint.

Check over the foundation

This sounds a bit more technical than it is. All you need to do is take a walk around the outside of your house and look for any overgrown vegetation around the exterior. Also look out for any mould or damp patches.

Monthly

Clean your washing machine and dishwasher

Cleaning your white goods such as dishwashers and washing machines once a month can not only prevent a build up of germs, but it can also extend the life of the machine.

To clean your dishwasher, simply pop a cup of white vinegar on to the top rack of an empty dishwasher. Sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom and run the dishwasher on a full cycle. Afterwards leave your dishwasher open to let it air.

Your washing machine can also be a breeding ground for different germs and if you don’t clean it regularly then you may find that your laundry won’t come out of the machine smelling as fresh as it once did.

To clean your machine, add the bicarbonate of soda to the detergent container of your machine and pour white vinegar into the drum.  Use a scouring sponge to rub around the opening of the machine to remove any stubborn residue. Then run your washing machine on a full cycle at 90 degrees. Leave the door open for at least 6 hours after you’ve completed the cycle to let it air.

Clean tap aerators

Most modern tap systems allow you to screw off the aerators. Aerators are supplied to help produce a consistent flow of water and over time these can become clogged with mineral deposits and to put it plainly, gunk.

Take these out once a month and give them a clean, not only will it stop odours but it’ll also help to maintain great water pressure. 

Weekly

Wash your bedding

It goes without saying but you should be changing your bedding at least once a week. Dirt, debris and dead skin all accumulate on your sheets and pillowcases, even if you shower before bed.

Clean your bins

Each week take time to clean your interior bins. You just need to spray some antibacterial spray and give it a wipe over. It’ll get rid of germs and stop nasty smells from building up. It’s also advisable to clean your outdoor bin once it’s been collected too, if you don’t feel like doing that job yourself then employ the services of a bin cleaner who will give it a weekly or fortnightly deep clean.

Daily

Reset your room

Before you go to bed at night, just spend 5 minutes to reset. Plump the cushions, straighten the sofa and put any toys or debris away. It’ll look neat when you get up in the morning and if you have any unexpected guests drop in then you’re all sorted.

Wipe down surfaces

Between sticky handprints, drink stains and general use, you’ll be surprised how dirty your surfaces can get. Spend just 10 minutes every day wiping down your surfaces, not only will it keep your house clean and tidy but it will also avoid any stubborn stains setting in.